Hi! I think that if you are under PPL training, all the flights should be VFR no matter you are practicing homing techniques or radio navigation basics and they do not fall into IR training. There is no legal framework for you to count it as IFR flight time. For that purpose exists the IR course and the hours flown under that training should be noted and count as IFR, even if you are flying VMC and you have filed a VFR Flight Plan but practicing skills of the IR syllabus. Furthermore, when you finish the PPL training, your DTO or ATO must send to your National Authority a certificate with the flight time in detail. I’m sure they won’t risk to place IFR flight time for a PPL course.
Pablo